DOMINANT ANGLE
Helsinki describes riots reaching the ministries of Tirana, with the hotel project linked to those close to Donald Trump and a European student wave in the background.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
According to police cited by Helsingin Sanomat, at least 35 people were detained on Wednesday and 14 police officers injured in Tirana.
- 02
A fire broke out at the Ministry of Education, and fires also hit the Ministry of Justice and a nearby bank agency (HS, according to AFP).
- 03
MTV Uutiset links the protests to a European wave, citing French high school students who are demanding more teachers and better facilities.
ANALYSIS
Helsinki, October 15, 2026. The Finnish press initially treats the unrest in Tirana as an outbreak of urban violence. Helsingin Sanomat reports that students have been protesting "for two days in a row" in the Albanian capital, and that ministries were targeted on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The newspaper, citing AFP, describes a fire at the Ministry of Education, where torches were allegedly thrown at the building in front of several thousand protesters also throwing bricks. A fire was also lit at the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Finance was attacked, with broken doors. A nearby bank agency was set on fire and shops were damaged. During the day, the procession headed towards the Prime Minister's offices, which were targeted by stone-throwing; a nearby tree caught fire. The police used tear gas and water cannons. According to them, at least 35 people were arrested on Wednesday and 14 police officers were injured. HS cites Reuters, which calls these events "the most violent" in the movement to date.
In substance, HS recalls that the anti-government protest has been going on since May, against corruption and the current power. It originated from a luxury hotel project on a natural site in the south of the country, associated with Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. The newspaper adds that Kushner has also been in the spotlight this year for his participation in negotiations with Russia on the war in Ukraine. The pressure is mounting on Edi Rama's government, whose resignation is being demanded.
MTV Uutiset, relying on Reuters, talks about a student protest that "degenerated into riots". The protesters are demanding better study conditions. Reuters videos show riot police using tear gas and water cannons, while protesters throw bricks and concrete at the Ministry of Education. The channel also mentions destroyed shops, cameras, and fences, and objects burned in the streets.
MTV finally places Albania in a European wave: French high school students have been protesting for weeks to get more teachers and better facilities. Both media outlets reproduce international dispatches, without a correspondent on the ground. They do not report on Edi Rama's reaction or the ultimatum from the collectives.
